Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X.

Adam's Eve

Personal thoughts

Chapter 1- Meeting

Sanctuary 8 AM

The team was in the kitchen finishing a leisurely breakfast to try to get them up, running and ready for a day of heavy training. Adam scheduled it today, since life seemed a little slow right now and everyone was well rested.

Adam entered the kitchen smiling, fixing his tie and looking sharp; all dressed up. "Good morning" he said, rather bright eyed.

Everyone's eyes opened a little wider. "Wow! Where are you headed this morning, looking so great?" smiled Emma.

"I thought we were supposed to be training today," said Brennan, feeling as if he'd missed something.

"You are training. I am going to hear a scientist speak to Congress about government funding for Immune System research. She has ..."

"She?" asked Shalimar with a slight grin.

"She has …"he continued, ignoring her suggestion and pouring half a cup of coffee, "been working on a theory to genetically boost the immune system's responses when it's needed."

"Sounds interesting. Who is she?" asked Jesse.

"Dr. Evelyn Kihliya. She's been working as a physician until now. I'd like to hear what she's proposing." He finished his coffee and turned to go. "You guys stay here and train like we planned and keep an eye on the wall. Let me know if anything unusual happens."

"Wait. You're going alone?" asked Brennan.

"It's been quiet out there and I'd think you'd be more interested in training than …"

Shalimar stood up sharply, to join in the protest but Adam just put his hand up and smiled as he proceeded to head out, Calling behind him, he assured, "I'll be fine. I'll call during break and check in." Out of sight now, he commanded, "Get to work!"

The team just smiled at each other in mild disbelief. "Well, I guess he told us," said Emma, "so let's get to work."

After passing the proper security inquiries, Adam walked into a hearing room and saw many faces; some familiar and some not.

Congressmen, scientists, and various workers, all preparing to hear the speakers on today's docket plead their requests before the committees.

He seated himself when the meeting was about to begin and waited for the chair to recognize Dr. Kihliya in her turn.

Finally, she was called for and through a double door to the side of the room, entered a young woman in a gray suit carrying a folder. She walked over to the table set up for the speakers to face the committee and present their requests. Very determined, she took her place and began her presentation.

Adam sat and listened intently. He was very interested in the proposal she made for the ability to receive funding to continue her research; research having to do with increasing the body's ability to rid itself of infection and disease.

The panel called for a lunch break. Already? Adam thought. He was intrigued by her suggestions of possible results. The room emptied quickly and Adam went to find Dr. Kihliya.

Out in the hall she was approached by a few people offering their encouragements. She quickly broke away from them and entered a room at the far end of the corridor. It was made available to visiting speakers during breaks.

Upon entering, he saw Dr. Kihliya sitting to one side playing a small electric keyboard. Questioning the silence, he noticed the wires of the earphones she was using. Not wanting to frighten her, he knocked on the door.

"I'm sorry," she said turning and seeing a man in the doorway, "I have no statement at this time. Please leave."

Adam smiled, "I'm not from the press, Dr. Kihliya. I'm a scientist. My name is Adam Kane. I'm extremely interested in the proposals for your research."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Kane. Please forgive me. I've been very nervous about this presentation all week and afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my composure if I had to deal with the press before I was through." Standing now, she glanced at the floor as she finished so as to not show this fellow doctor her fear.

Adam smiled as he slowly approached. "It's okay. I can understand that. The first time I had to make such a proposal I was very nervous, too."

"Really?" she said. Something in his voice was comforting and reassuring.

As her eyes rose to meet his, he sensed her anxiety level drop a little. He found himself staring into a pair of dark brown eyes that glowed with youth and life. He noticed her appearance for the first time. Her hair was dark brown and pulled up very businesslike into a twist. Her features were exquisite. Mediterranean? He caught himself and quickly pointed to the keyboard on the table. "Do you keep that in your lab, too?" he asked trying to make her more comfortable.

"I play classical music mostly. It helps to calm me and allows me to think clearly. I really needed it after all those questions this morning."

"I think you're doing a great job. Don't let the bureaucrats scare you into conceding your faith in your ideas."

"Thank you, Dr. Kane. I really appreciate your encouragement right now. I'm so nervous. I'm not sure how I'll survive the wait for their answer."

Now Adam hesitated as she smiled at him. "Perhaps… when you've finished the afternoon session you would allow me to buy you a cup of coffee while we await their decision?"

She hesitated for a moment. "I think I would like that," and looked back at the floor.

"Well, I'll leave you to get prepared for this afternoon. Good luck," Adam said as he backed toward the door to leave.

"Thank you," he heard her say as he turned.

Out in the hall now, Adam walked to a deserted area where he thought it safe to contact his team.

"Hey, guys. How're things going?" he said in a subdued voice into his com ring.

"Adam. Hey. We're fine," he heard Jesse say.

"How's the hearing?" Emma's voice came over, displaying the support she always offered Adam in his interests.

"They're being a little hard on her. We'll have to see how it turns out. Listen, I'm going to stay this out. It looks like it'll go the afternoon. Is everything still quiet?"

"Yeah, we haven't picked up on anything. Shalimar and Brennan worked out here then decided to go on a picnic. That gave Emma and me the whole place to our selves." Adam heard the smile in Jesse's voice and the slap that he got when he said it.

Shaking his head, "Play nice, you two." He saw people starting to file back into the hearing room. "They look like they're getting ready to reconvene. I'll contact you later."

"Right," Emma replied, obviously trying to suppress giggles.

What am I going to do with those kids? he wondered as he went back to his seat.

Dr. Kihliya walked in and glanced around the room nervously, as if she was searching for something. Concern flashed in her eyes as the thought of not finding that which she had hoped for, crossed her mind. The thought and the concern were quickly wiped away when she saw him. Her eyes made contact for only a moment. It was enough to see Adam smile at her and get the strength she wished for by seeing him there.

She's so open and trusting. Adam's mind was suddenly tangled in thoughts and wonders about this woman. He was shaken from his wonderings as he heard the proceedings begin.

The afternoon session went by slowly. For her it seemed like an eternity. Their questions seemed repetitive as if they were trying to wear her down and get her to contradict herself. She almost did it, too. A couple of times she had to stop in mid sentence to think and answer the question as clearly as possible. When it was finally over, she stood to leave. This time, she walked out, holding her chin up and not looking anywhere but toward the door. She looked tense.

Adam knew how she must have felt. They were brutal in their inquiry. He walked through the hall and to the room. Peering through the small glass inset in the door, he saw her sitting with her head down on the table. He felt bad for her. He knew she was hurting and so waited before entering. When he saw her lift her head he slowly opened the door and knocked lightly.

Turning to the door, she smiled as Adam came in. Trying to put on a brave front, she sat up tall. "That was interesting, wasn't it?"

With a smile and strength in his voice he told her he thought she had done a good job standing up to their scrutiny. The presentation she made was very persuasive. Adam really thought she was on to something that could really become a breakthrough. She must have sensed his sincerity. "Thank you, Dr. Kane."

"Please, call me Adam."

"Adam," she said with a smile, "I use Evie."

He saw her relax a little. "Okay, Evie…how about that cup of coffee now?"

She smiled as she just nodded her head and allowed him to lead her down the hall.

"I became a doctor and worked in a hospital for a short time before I went into research. I found there were too many areas that could be improved; especially in the light of the new technologies that are developing. I just couldn't stay in practice using old, inefficient techniques and watch as people suffered."

Adam listened as she answered some of his questions. He was careful not to make her feel like she hadn't left the hearing room. He started to get a glimpse of her, intellectually and was impressed with her depth of understanding and compassion. He knew that was what had fueled her research. He found himself intrigued … not only by her theories.

A message was delivered to her. It was time to go back in. Her eyes grew wide again. Adam could see the fear start to come over her. All of a sudden the impressive intellectual became a frightened child. He just smiled and put his hand on hers.

She seemed to draw strength from his touch. She drew herself up and smiled back at him as she got up to return and hear their decision.

TBC